Edge grinding apparatus



R. J. I QuvlAux EDGE GRINDING APPARATUS Oct. l, 1935.

Fild NOV. 9, 1931 3 Smyrna-Shea?l 1 lmventor Paoul d. Lam/faux.

0 Gttorneg OGL 1 1935 R. J. LouvlAUx EDGE GRINDING' APPARATUS Filed Nov. 9, 1931 I5 Sheets-Sheet. 3

Snoenor Pa'ou/ al. LoL/Viaux.

(Ittorneg Patented Oct. l, 1935i` PATENT OFFICE 2,015,720 EDGE GRINDING APPARATUS.v

Raoul J. Louviaux, '1" oledo,0hio, assignor to Libbey-Owens-Ford Glass Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application November 9, 1931, Serial No. 573,762 V32 Claims. (Ci. 51-100) or plates of glass and the like.

An important object of this invention resides in the provision of a grinding machine of simplified and inexpensive construction which is especially designed for use in grinding the lower edges of automobile windshields and the like which are cut on a curve, although it is of course in noway restricted to such use.

Another object of theinvention is.the provision of such a grinding machine of the char-` acter above described which will round and 'finish the curved edges of the windshields rapidly, accurately, and economically, and' with a minimum effort and attention on the part of the operator, whereby-uniformly rounded edges with well finished surfaces may be secured.

.Other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent during the coursepof the following description when taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings.

In the drawings forming a part'of this application and wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a grinding machine constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Fig. 2 is a tranverse section `taken substantially on line 2--2 of Fig. 1, I

Fig. 3. is a section taken substantially on line 3 3 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 4 is a detail elevation showing the arrangement of the weights,-

Fig. 5 is a section taken substantially on line 5-5"of Fig. 1,

Athe numeral I and consisting of the spaced lon gitudinally extending parallel I-beams and I2 connected at their opposite ends by the end members |3 and Il upon which are mounted, the bearings I Sand I6 respectively. Extending -longitudinally of the supporting base I0 and having its opposite ends journaled within the bearings I and I6 is a shaft Il driven from one end by a suitable chain drive or the like I8 `and being threaded throughout a suitable portion of its length as at I9. 6

Carried upon the top of the I-beams and 2 are the longitudinally extending parallel rails and 2| respectively which are adapted to support thereupon asubstantially rectangular table 22, said table being mounted upon wheels 23 l0 and 24 which .rest upon and run along the said rails 20 and 2|. Secured to the undersurface of the top of table 22 is a depending bracket 25 provided with an internally threaded portion 26 through which is threaded the shaft Il so 15 that, upon rotation of the said shaft, the table may vbe moved back and forth along the rails 20 and 2| Carried upon the top of table 22 and extending transversely thereof are the spaced parallel 20 rails 2l and 28 which are disposedat substantially right angles to the main rails 20 and 2|. Supported upon the table 22 is a substantially rectangular carriage 29 having wheels 30 which rest upon the rails 2l and 23 so that the said car- 25 riage isfreely movable along the said rails in a direction at substantially right angles to the direction of movement o! the table 22 along rails The glasssheetsor plates to be ground are des- 30 ignated by the numeral 3|, and one or more of these plates are adapted to be supported in a horizontal position upon the carriage 29 so that they are movable therewith. While the glass plates 3| have been illustrated in the 'drawings 35 as being in the form of an ordinary windshield having the upper straight horizontal edge 32, the substantially parallel side edges 33 and 3l, and the lower inwardly curved edge 35, yet it will b'e readily appreciated that glass plates of other 40 shapes may also be ground. However, when grinding the lower inwardly curved edges 35 of the ordinary windshields, the said windshields are arranged in a substantially horizontal position upon the carriage 29, with the inwardly curved edges 35 facing to the front of the machine as shown in the drawings. Then, upon movement of the table 22 along rails 20 and 2|, the said windshields are adapted to be carried past a grinding element 36 with the edges 35 thereof to be 50 ground in engagement therewith, as a result of which the said grinding element .will operate to round and/or nish the said edges.

The grinding element 36 is preferably inth form of a disc or wheel having formed in theperiphery thereof a plurality-of grooves 31 within which-the ,adjacent curved edges 35 of the glass plates are received during the grinding operation. 'Ihe grinding wheel is carried at the upper end of a vertically disposed shaft 38 journaled withinl a bearing 39 slidably supported upon the upper end of a stationary standard 40. The shaft 38 may be driven from a drive shaft 4| having keyed thereto a worm 42 which meshes with and drives a worm gear 43 fxed to the said shaft 38.- In order to permit of the grinding Wheel being moved toward or away from the table 22, the base portion 44 of bearing 39 may be slidably received Within a groove 45 in the upper end of standard 40.

The base portion 44 may also be provided with a" depending lug 46 through which is threaded an adjusting screw 41 provided at 'its outer end with a. hand wheel 48. Thus, upon turning of hand wheel 48 to rotate adjusting screw 41, the base portion 44 can be slid within-groove 45 to-move the grinding wheel toward or away from table 22. The grinding wheel can be secured in prop- 'erly adjusted position by means of set screws 49 or the like which pass transversely through the standard 40 and engagebase portion 44.

Carried by the bearing 39 and substantially surrounding the. grinding wheel 36 is-a receptacle 50, and arrangedwithin this receptacle between the side walls .thereof and the grinding wheel are sponges or the like 5|. During the grinding operation, the Sponges 5| are adapted to hold a 'suilicientamount of moisture and to apply theA same to' the grinding wheel. y Inasmuch as the carriage 29 is freely movable upon rails 21 and 28 toward and away from the grinding wheel 36, it is oi' course necessary that some means be provided to maintain the curved edges 35 of the glass plates 3| inengagement with the grinding wheel 'as the said plates are carried past the same upon movement of table 22 along rails 20 and 2|. To'this end, there is secured tothe carriage 29 at the rear edge thereof a longitudinally extending cam track 53, said track-being bowed or arcuately 'curved rearwardly, with the curvature thereof being substantially the same as the curvature of the plate edges 35 to be ground.

Secured to the I-beam I I of the supporting base 'I0 at a point substantially opposite the grinding wheel 36, is a vertically disposed bracket 54 carrying at its upper end an extension plate 55 to which is pivoted intermediate its ends as at 56 a bell crank lever 51 including a substantially vertical arm .58 and a relatively longer substantially vhorizontal arm 59. The substantially vertical arm .58 carries at its lower end a. freelyA rotatable roller 60 which is adapted to engage and ride along the cam track 53, while suspended from the substantially horizontal arm 59 of the bell crank lever is a weight 6| which tendsto rock the said lever 51 about its pivot to maintain the. roller 6l) in engagement with cam track 53. 'I'he pressure of the roller against the cam track serves to urge the carriage 29 forwardly upon rails 21 and 28 and yieldably maintain the curved edges 35 of the glass plates in engagement with the grinding wheel as they are carried past the'same.

The weight 6| vmay be` adjustably secured to the horizontal arm 59 by a. link 62 and bolt 63, which vbolt passes through a slot 64 in the said arm'59 so that the weight may Wardly to vary the against cam track 53. p y

The means for supporting the glass platesf3| in be moved inwardly or outpressure of the roller/.f 60

vspaced horizontal position upon the carriage 29 spect to the frame.- Each of the discs 10 comprises a metallic hub 14 68 and 69 respectively, each being adapted to 5 loosely receive thereupon a. plurality of discs 10 which rest one upon the other, with the discs upon the several pins being in horizontal alignment. Each vertical pin 66,61, 68 and 69 is carried by a' horizontal plate 1| having a slot 12 10 therein through which passes a bolt 13 by which i the respective plate is adjustably secured to the frame. In other words, upon loosening bolt 13, the respective plate 1| and discs 10 carried thereby may be moved inwardly or outwardly with re- 16 slidable upon the respective pins 66 to v69 and having formed integral therewith a horizontally disposed annular ilange 15 upon which is carried a pad 16 preferably of 20 relativelyhard rubber or some similar material. The pad 16 is cut away or reduced in thickness to' form a vertical'annular shoulder 11 encircled by a horizontal annular marginal portion 18.

Also secured to the frame at the rearlthere- 25 of and preferably at a point intermediate its ends l isjavertically disposed pin 19 carried by a horizontal plate 80, said plate resting upon the frame and being secured thereto by a bolt or other fastening element 8| which passes through a slot 30' plurality of superimposed parallelilngers 83, said 35' ngers being spaced from one another and in substantial alignment with the discs 10, as best shown in Fig. 5. sothat the plates of glass 3| may be received therebetween. The pin 19 and also the lingers' 83 are preferably provided with 40 a covering 84 of rubber or'other suitable material. 'I'he ngers 83 preferably decrease in length from the bottom finger to the upper iinger although such an arrangement is not absolutely essential.

When assembling aplurality of the glass plates 3| in position upon the frame 65, all of the discs 10 are first removed from the vertical pins 66 to v69with the exception of the lowermost disc upon each pin which is held spaced from the respective 50 above. The remaining discs are then successively 60 slipped onto the pins. with a plate of glass being supported upon each tier of discs. After the glass plates have been thus properly assembled in superimposed relationship, the several series of discs at the four corners of the frame are movedy to- 65 ward one another in a manner to engage and' clamp the sheets firmly in position, at which time the end edges 33 and-34 of the plates abut the vertical shoulders 11 of the discs. When arranging the glass plates in position, they are posi- 70 tioned so that they are received between the iingers -83 with the rear longitudinal vedges 32 thereof abutting the vertical pin 19. When itis desired to assemble a series of sheets or plates upon the frame 65, the said frame is preferablyreglass plate 3| from the point A to point B, with moved from the machine, and this removal is greatly facilitated by the provision of handles 86 at the opposite ends of the frame'. ABy having twoframes65 available, it is possible to be grinding one series of glass plates in the machine while a second series of glass plates is being assembled upon the other frame. s

In order to eect proper positioning of the frame 65 upon the top of carriage 29 and also to `prevent any rearward or lateral movement thereof relative to said carriage, there may be secured to the top of the carriage adjacent opposite ends thereof the plates 81 and 88 respectively, each plate being disposed diagonally of the -carriage and having a V-shaped notch 89 within which the adjacent corner of the frame 65 is received.

Inl order to more effectively prevent any rearward slipping movement of the glass plates relative to the frame during grinding, there may be carried by the top ofthe carriage at. the rear thereof and adjacent each end a vertically disposed fixed retaining member 90 provided with a plurality of grooves 9| within which. the rear edges of the glass plates are received. l

Briefly stated, the operation of the machine as thus far described is as follows: The frame 65 is irst removed from the machine and a plurality of glass plates 3| assembled thereupon in the manner explained above, after which the frame is replaced in the machine, being supportedV upon the top of the carriage 29 in such a manner that the frame engages the stop plates` 81 and 88 while the rear longitudinal edges of lthe glass plates abut the retaining members 90. Durinsertion thereof in the machine, the table 22 is adapted to be located entirelyto one side of the grinding wheel 36, suchxas` for instance, to the right thereof `when viewing the .machine in Fig. l. The shaft |1 is then rotated'to effect the desired movement of the table 22 to the left upon rails 20 and 2|. This movement of the table will serve to carry thecarriage 29 and glass` plates 3| past the grinding wheel 36, withthe forward curved edges 35 of the glass plates in engagement therewith.A During the travel of the glass plates past and in engagement with the grinding wheel, the. said wheel is adapted to `be simultaneously rotated so as to effect the rounding and nishing lof the edges 35 thereof. 'I'he roller engaging cam track 53 will function to urge the carriage 29 forwardly so as to maintain the curved edges of the glass plates in engagement. with the grinding wheel while,` at the same time, permitting` rearward movementofthe carriage. That is to say, since the carriage is freely movable toward and away from the grinding wheel, it will be caused to move flrst forwardly and then rearwardly asthe inwardly curved edges 35 ofthe glass` plates are -being ground.' t

` The curvature required in a conventional windshield is ordinarily irregular, the radius of curvature for the major portion of the lower curved edge beng relatively large while that for the opposite ends ofthe curved edge ismuch shorter. When rounding and `finishing curved edges of this character upon the machine herein provided, it is desirable, that a relatively large degree of pressure be applied tourge the glass plates for- Awardl'y during the grinding ofapproximately the .during the grinding of the curved edge 35 `of the plates forwardlyinto engagement with the grindand carrying a roller |08 which is adapted to the glass plate moving in the direction indicated by the "arrow, a relatively greater degree of pressure tending to urge the plateA forwardly into engagement with the grinding wheel 36 is re- 5 quired than when grinding the curved` edge from points B to C, with still less pressure being required in grinding the curved edge from points C to D; This varying degree of pressure is necessitated due to the fact that during the grinding of the curved edge from points A to B, the glass plate is moving forwardly. toward the grinding wheel'. However, when grinding the curved edge from points B to C there is no appreciable forward or rearward movement of the plate so that less pressure is required, and this pressure may be furtherV lessened when grindingthe curved edge between points C and D since at this time the glass plate is being moved rearwardly and the inertia of the carriage and its associated 20 parts is suillcient to maintain .the plate in ensagement with the grinding wheel. The present invention, therefore, also contemplates the provision of pressure means tending to urge the glassk 25 ing Wheel as they are carried past the same, together with means for gradually lessening the pressure of said pressurev means upon movement of the` table 22 and when the glass plates reach certain predetermined positions with respect to the grinding wheel.

To this end, there is carried at the rear of the table 22 the two longitudinally extending vertically disposed plates 92 and 93, said plates being arranged parallel with one another, with the plate 92 being disposed slightly outwardly of plate 93, The adjacent inner ends 92a and 93a of the said plates overlap one another as shown and these overlapping portions are of a` somewhat reduced width so as to provide the resultant 40 shoulders 94 and 95 respectively. Referringl particularly to Figs. 2 and 3 there is pivoted to an auxiliary bracket 96 carried by upstanding 'bracket 54 intermed'ate the upper and lower ends thereof the two lbell crank levers 91 and 98 re- 45 spectively, said bell crank levers being of sub-- stantially the same construction but reversely positioned with respect to one another.

. The'bell crank lever 91 is pivoted to bracket 96 as at 99, while bell crank lever 98 is pivotally 50 mounted upon said bracketas at |00, with the two pivot points 99 and |00 being in substantial horizontal alignment with one another. Pivoted to the upper end of bell crank lever 91 as at |0| is a. plate |02 carrying a roller |03 which is 55 adapted to engage and ride along the bottom edge of platek 92 during longitudinal movement of the table 22 along rails 20 and 2|. The plate |02 is provided at its inner end with a lug |04 adapted to engage a boss |05 'formed on bell crank lever 91-whereby to limit the swinging movement o f the plate |02 to the left. 'Ihe bell crank lever 98 has pivoted to the upper end thereof as atk |06 a plate |01 similar to plate |02 65 engage and ride along the bottom edge of plate 93. VThe plate |01 is formed at its inner end with a lug |09 adapted to engage aboss ||0 on bell crank lever 98 whereby to limit the sw'nging movement of plate |01 to the right. The two plates |02 and 01 are preferably connected together by a spring so that the said plates move in unison either to the left or to the right.

Also carried by the upstanding bracket 54 is a rocker arm I2, said arm being pivotally mounted intermediate its ends to the bracket as at H9, the inner end ||4 of the rocker .arm being positionedbeneath and engageable. by the lo ,wer ends' of bell 'crank lever 51 by means .ofthe hanger H8, a cylindrical weight I I9, saidweight. being provided in the bottom thereof with a recess within which is received the upper end portion of the cylindrical weight carries at its upper end a plurality of laterally projecting pins.' 2| which. extend through vertical slots |22 formed in the wall of the recess |20 so that the weight ||1 is vertically movable relative to weight ||9. The hanger ||9 comprises the spaced metal strips |23 pivotally connected to the weight ||9 as at |24. The upper ends of strips |23 straddle the horizontal arm 59 of bell crank lever 51 and are secured thereabove to a block |25. .The horizontal arm 59 of the bell crank lever carries a pin |29 which is received within vertical slots |21 in strips |23.

. Carried by the block and extending vertically therethrough is an adjusting screw i 29, said screw engaging the top of horizontal arm 59 and by means of which the hanger ||9 and consequently the weight I |9 carried thereby may be adjusted vertically.

In carrying out the present invention, and for the purposes of illustration, let is assume that the table 22 is at the extreme right hand end of the rails 20 and 2| in Fig. l and that theplates -of glass to be ground have been properly assembled and positioned upon the carriage 29. At auch time, the entire force of the weights and I|9 rests upon the platform ||9, thereby holding the outer end of the rocker arm 2 downwardly in the position shown by the broken lines and designated E which, of course, throws the inner end ||4 of the rocker arm upwardly. When the full force of the weights ||1 and ||9 is being utilized, the weight ||1is suspended from the weight ||9, being supported by the pins |2| whichare at this time in the lower ends ofthe slots |22 as indi-- The shaft I1 is then rotated to move the table 22 to the left along rails 20 and 2| so as to carry the plates of glass past and in engagement with the grinding wheel 96 which is being simultaneously rotated. During the grinding ofthe curved edges of the glass plates 3| from the pointA to point B in Fig.` '1, the entire force of the weights ||1 and ||9, as well as weight 6I, is being utilized to rock the bell crank lever 51 about its pivot 59 to urge the roller into engagement with cam track 53, whereby to urge the carriage 29 forwardly. During the grinding oi' the 'curved edge of the glass plate from points A to B, the said plate is not only being carried horizontally past the grinding wheel 3 6 but is being simultaneously moved forwardly. The glass plate gradually moves forwardly until the point B thereof is substantially opposite the grinding wheel. However,

when grinding the curved edge from points B to C, there is no appreciable forward or rearward movement of the glass plate and consequently, during the grinding of this portion of the curved edge, it is desirable to release a certain amount of the force to the weights so as to reduce the pressureof the roller 60 acting to urge the carm. The weight mcam track 53 by the weights N -forwardly will be the pressure exerted by the force riage 29 forwardly. This is herein'accomplished in the following manner:

. When the point B of the 'glass plate arrives at a' position substantially opposite the grinding wheel, the roller |03 carried by bell crank lever J5 91 is engaged by the inner reduced end 92a of plate 92, whereupon the plate |02 will be swung to the left about its pivot |00 and the lug |04 e'ngaging boss |05 will serve to rock the bell crank lever 91 about its pivot. 99. Upon such rocking movement of the'bell crank lever 91, the lower end thereof will'engage .the inner end ||4 of rocker arm I2, and will function to rock the said arm about its pivot so as to raise the outer end thereof,'v together with the vplatform IIS. The l5., raising of the platform ||6 will move the weight I1 upwardly relative to weight ||9 so that the force of the weight ||1 will be released from the arm 59. At this time, the outer end of the rocker arm H2 will be raised to the position indicated 20 at G, and the pins 2| can'ied by weight ||1 to the position indicated at H within the slots |22. Therefore, during the grinding of the curved edge of the glass plate between points B and C, the rroller 60 will be urged into engagement with the 25 and ||9 only. During the grinding of the curved edge of the glass plate between points C and ,D evenfless pressure is required to urge the carriage 29 forwardly since the said carriage is being moved rearward- 30. ly and the inertia thereof will tend` to hold the glass plate in engagement with the grinding wheel. Therefore, upon continued movement of the table 22 to the left and, in fact, when the point C of the curved edge arrives ata position 'substantially 35` opposite the grinding wheel, the roller A|03 carried by bell crank lever 91 will be engaged by the shoulder 94 on plate 92, with the result that the said bell crank lever will again be rocked about its pivot 99 to further depress the inner end ||4 40.- of rocker arm ||2 so as to raise the outer end of said arm and the platform IIB'to the position indicated by the full lines in Fig. 2. At this time the pins |2| carriedby weight ||1 will engage the upper ends of the slots |22 and will lift the weight 45 ||9and hanger ||9 so as to release the force of vthe weight ||9 from arm 69, with the result that the only pressure tending to urge the carriage 29 of the weight 9|.

Upon continued movement of the table 22 to the left, and when the plate 92 passes out of engagement with roller |03, the`weights ||1 and ||9 will be permitted to drop downwardly since, at such time, .,the bell crank lever 91 will no longer 55 function to hold the weights in 'their elevated position. In other words, the rocker arm ||2 will be swung by the weights in the opposite direction, whereupon to raise the inner end I4 thereof, and the raising of .this inner end will swing crank lever 91 about its pivot to the right.

When the table 22 reaches the extreme left hand-end of the rails 20 and 2|, the finished glass plates may be removed from the carriage and other plates to be ground positioned thereupon. The table is then moved to the right and the abovel cycle of operations will be repeated, with the.ex' caption that the weights ||1 and ||9 will be successively released by the plate 93 engaging roller |08 carried by bell crank lever'98. In other words, 70

when the table 22 is moved from right to left, the weights ||1 and I I9 are released by engagement of thev plate 92 with roller |03 whereas, when the table moves from left to right, the weights are released by the plate -93 engaging roller |08. 75

the be11'60 Upon movement of the table zz to the' right.

l theouter bevelled end 92h of plate 92, engaging roller |03, will swing the saidroller and plate ,l I 02 to the right and, due. to the provision oi' the connecting spring this swinging movement of plate |02 will also serve to swing the plate |01 and roller |08 to the right about pivot |06 so that said roller |08 will be inl a position to be engaged by the plate 93 uponcontinued movement of the table to the right. On the other, hand, when the table 22 moves to the left, the outer bevelled end 93h of plate ,93 engaging roller |08 will swing the said roller, together with plate |01, to the left, and, due spring the roller |03 and plate |02 will also be swung to the left so that the said roller |03 will be in a position to be engaged by plate 92 upon continued movement of the table to the left. When the'table 22 is moved to the right, however, the engagement of the inner end 93a oi plate 93 with roller |08, will serve to release the. weight ||1, while the engagement of shoulder 95 with roller |08 will lease of the weight ||9. t i In order to prevent excessive grinding or chipping of the corners' of the glass plates 3| when they are first moved to engage the grinding vieel, there may be carried by the carriage`29 at a point substantially intermediate its ends a horizontally disposed roller |29 projecting forwardly'thereof. '['his roller, as shown in Fig. 2, is rotatably supported at the outer end of an arm |30 arranged beneath the carriage transversely thereof and pivotally connected at its inner end lto a screw |3| threaded through a depending lug |32. Carried by the undersurface of the top of the carriage area plurality of fastening elements |33 which pass through slots |34 in arm |30 so that, upon rotation of screw outwardly as desired.

Positioned outwardly of the table 22 and at opposite sides of the grinding wheel are the' metal plates |35 and |36 (Fig. l). each being secured to a longitudinally extending beam |31 by bolts or the like |38 which pass through a slot |39 so that the said plates |35`and |36 may be moved toward or away from the ginding wheel.4

'I'he inner edge of each plate |35 and |36 is` provided with a substantially straight portion |40 terminating in a forwardly curved portion |4|. As best illustrated in Fig. 7, at the beginning of the grinding operation and when the left hand corner of the glass plate initially engages the grinding wheel,-the'roller |29 riding along the straight vportion |40 of the inner edge of plate |35 will tend to oifset or counteract the action of the weights Il, ||1 and ||9 and will hold the carriage rearwardly so as to prevent any forward movement thereof until the corner of,` the .glass plate has beencarried past the grinding wheel, at which time the roller |23 will ride upon the curved portion |4| of the inner ledge of the plate so as to permit of the carriage being moved 65. forwardly by the weights. 'Ihe plate |38 will function in the same manner to prevent excessive grinding or chipping of the right hand corner of the glass plate when the table 22 is moved from left to right. l l

If desired, suitable limit switchesl42 and |43 may be positioned in the pathoi' travel of the table 22 and engageable thereby when the said table reaches a predetermined position to bring the same to a stop.; The said limit switches |42' 75 and |43 are preferably connected in` series with to the provision of cause the re- |3|, the roller |29 may be moved inwardly or,

the motor (not shown)1 operating the chain drive I8 for the shaft |1 and, to eiect the opening of the limit switches, there may be carried by the table 22 adjacent each end thereof `a dog |44. 1

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is toY be taken as the preferred embodiment of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangements of partsmay be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope ofthe subjoined claims.

I claim: l1. In a machine for grinding the curvededge of a glass sheet or plate, a grinding element mounted in a substantially flxedposition, means for supporting' the sheet` in a substantially fixed position and for conveying the same in a sub stantially straight pathpast said grinding element with the curvededge thereof tol be ground in engagement therewith. said sheet n and conveying means being movable toward and laway from said grinding element, and means for yieldably urging said sheet toward and main# taining it in` engagement with the grinding ele' ment as it is carried past the same.

2. In a machine for grinding the curved edge of a glass sheet or plate, a grinding element mounted in a substantially xed position, meansV for supporting the sheet in a substantially fixed position and -for conveying the same in a sublstantially straight path `past said grinding elev ment with the curved edge thereof to. be ground in engagement therewith, said sheet supporting and conveying means being movable toward and away from the grinding element, and means acting against the said supporting and Vconveying means toyieldably urge the sheet toward and maintain it in engagement with said grinding element as it is carried past the same. 1

3. In a machine for `\of a glass sheet or plate, a grinding wheel mounted in a substantially ilxed position and vrotatable about a substantially vertical axis, means for supporting. the `sheet in a substantially xed position and for conveying the same horizontally in a substantially straight path lpast said grind` ing wheel with thelcurved edgethereof to be ground in engagement therewith, said sheet supporting and .conveying means being movable toward and away from said grinding wheel,-and 50 means for yieldably urging said sheet toward and holding itin engagement with the grinding wheel as it is carried past thesame. 4. In a machine for grinding the curved edge oi' a glass sheet or plate, a grinding wheel mount- 55 ed in a substantially xed position and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, means for .supporting the sheet in a substantially fixed posi: tion and for conveying vthe same,horizontally in a substantially straight path past said grinding wheel with the4 curved edge thereof to be ground in engagement therewith, said sheet supporting and conveying means being movable toward and away from the grinding -wheel in a direction-at substantially right angles to its direction of 65.

supporting 2o grinding the curved edge 46' grinding the curved edge be ground 75.-

in engagement-therewith, pressure means acting to yieldably urge the sheet toward and hold it in engagement with the grinding element as it is.

carried past the same, and means automatically operable when the sheet reaches a predetermined 'f position with respect to said grinding element to vary the pressure of said pressure means while maintaining the said sheet in engagement with the grinding element. n

, 6. I n a machine forgrinding the curved edge of a glass sheet or. plate, a grinding wheel mounted in a substantially xed position and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, means for.

supporting and conveying the sheet horizontally in a substantially straight path past said grind-l ing wheel with the curved edge thereof to be ground in engagement therewith, said sheet being movable toward and away from the grinding wheel in a direction at substantially right angles to its direction of movement past the same, pressure means acting to yieldably urge the sheet toward and hold it in engagement with the grinding wheel, and means automatically operable when the sheet reaches a predetermined position with respect to saidgrinding wheel to vary the pressure of said pressure means while maintaining the said sheet in engagement with the grinding wheel.

7.,.Ina machine for tgrinding the curved edge of a," glass sheet or plate, a grinding element mounted in a substantially nxed position, means for supporting and conveying the sheet in a, substantially straight path past said grinding element with the curved edge thereofto be ground in engagement therewith, said sheet being movable toward and away from the grinding element, pressure means acting toyieldably urge the sheet toward and hold it inengagement with said grinding element as it is carried past the g same, and means operable automatically when said sheet supporting*1 and conveying means reaches a predetermined position for lessening the pressure of said pressure means while maintaining the said sheet in engagement with the grinding element.

8. In a machine for grinding the curved edge of a glass sheet or plate, a grinding Wheel mounted in a substantially ilxed position and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, means for supporting and conveying the sheet horizontally in a substantially straightv path past said grinding wheel with `the curved edge `thereof to be ground in engagementtherewith, said sheet being movable toward and away from the\grinding mounted in a substantially xed position, conveying means movable in a substantially straight path past said grinding element, a carriage carried by said conveying means and movable toward and away from the grinding element in a direction at substantially right angles to the direction of movement of the said conveying means, said sheet being supported upon the carriage and movable therewith past the grinding element,

amargo with the curved edge thereof to be ground in engagement therewith, and means for yieldably urging said carriagetoward said grinding element to hold the' sheet in engagement therewith.

10. Ina machine for grinding the curved edge .',5 of a glass sheet or plate, a grinding wheel mounted in a substantially fixed position and rotatable about a substantiallyy vertical axis, conveying meansmovable in a substantially straight path past said grinding wheel, a carriage supported 1a upon said vconveying means and movable toward and away from the grinding wheel in a direction at substantially right angles to the direction of movement of the said conveying means, said sheet being supported horizontally upon the carriage 15,'

and movable therewith past the grinding wheel,

with the curved edge thereof to be ground in engagement therewith, and means for yieldably urging said carriage toward-said grinding wheel to hold the sheet in engagement therewith.

- 11. In a machine for grinding the curved edge -of a glass sheet or plate, a grinding element mounted-in a substantially xedposition, conveying means movable in a substantially straight path past said grinding element, a carriage carried by said conveying means and movable toward and away from the grinding element in a direction at substantially right angles to the direction of movement of the said conveying means, said sheet being supported upon the carriage and movable ltherewith past the grinding element,` with the curved edge thereof to be ground in engagement therewith, pressure means for yieldably urging said carriage toward said grinding element to hold the sheet in engagement' therewith, and means operable by the conveying means when the latter reaches a predetermined position to lessen the pressure of said pressure `means while maintaining the said sheet in engagement with the grinding element. 40 l2. In a machine for grinding the curved edge of a glass sheet or plate, a grinding wheel mounted in a substantially xed position and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, conveying means movable in a substantially straight path past said grinding wheel, a carriage supported upon said conveying means and movable toward and away from the grinding wheel in a direction at substantially right angles to the direction of movement of the said conveying means, said sheet being supported horizontally upon the carriage and movable therewith past the grinding wheel, with the curved edge thereof to be ground in engagement therewith, pressure means for yieldably urging said carriage toward said grinding wheel to hold the sheet in engagement therewith, and means operable by the conveying means when the latter\reaches a predetermined position to lessen the pressure of said pressure'means while maintaining the said sheet in engagement with 30 the grinding Wheel. l

13. In a machineA for grinding the edge of a glass sheet or plate, a grinding wheel mounted in a substantially iixed position and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, a table movable in 35 a definite predetermined path past said grinding wheel, a carriage supported upon said table and movable toward and away from the grinding wheel in`a direction at substantially right angles to the direction of movement of said table, said sheet being supported horizontally upon the carriage and movable therewith past the grinding wheel, with the edge thereof to be ground in engagement therewith, a plurality of weights acting to yieldably urge said carriage toward said grinding wheel tozhold the sheetin engagement therewith, and means operablel upon movement 14. In a machine for grinding theeuiied edge of a glass sheet or plate, a grinding wheel mounted in a substantially fixed position and rotatable about a substantially `vertical axis, a table movable in a substantially straight path ypastsaidgrinding wheel, a carriage supported upon saldil table and movable `toward 'and` away tfrom the grinding wheel in a5 direction at vsubstantially right angles tothe direction of movementof said table, means carried .by said; carriageaforsup-..1v

porting the sheet horizontally in a"substantially lxed position, said sheet being movable vithlthe l.

carriage past the grindingwheel, withjthe edge thereof to be ground. in lengagement thereo-k with, a cam track carried by saidcarriage, and

means engaging said" cam track foriyieldablfy urging saidcarriage toward said grinding wheel' to hold the' sheet in engagement -therewithr 15. In a machine for grindingthe curved edge of a glass sheet or plate, a grinding wheel mount# ed in a substantially nedposition and rotatableA about a substantially vertical axis, a table :novable in a` substantially .straight path past s`aid grinding wheel, a lcarriage supported upon said table and movable toward and away from the grinding wheel in a direction at substantially right angles to the direction of movement of said table, means carried by said carriage for supporting the sheet horizontally in a substantially xed position, said sheet being'movable with the carriage past the grinding wheel, with the curved` edge thereof to be ground in engagement therewith, means for yieldably urging said carriageforwardly toward said grinding, wheel to hold--the sheet in engagement therewith, and means for counteracting said last-n ientioned means whereby to prevent any forward movement of the* carriage until the sheet reaches a lpredetermined position in `relation to the grinding wheel. l

16. In anapparatus for securinga plurality of glass plates in spaced horizontal relation with respect to one another, a base member, a plurality of vertically disposed pins carried bysaid base member, and a plurality of discscarrieduponeach pin, the said discs lupon' 'theseveral pins being in alignment with one another.

17. In an apparatus for securingia plurality of glass plates in'spaced horizontal relation with4 respect to `one another, abase fmembe'r, a plurality of vertically disposed pins carried by said base member, and a plurality of `discs carried upon each pin, the said discs upon theseveral pins being in alignment with one another, and each` disc having a horizontal portion upon which the glass plate is adapted to rest and a vertical'shoulder against which the adjacent edge of the plate is adapted to abut.

18. In an apparatus for securing a plurality of glass plates in spaced horizontal relation with respect to one another, a substantially rectanl from one another and in vsubstantial horizontal alignment with said discs. Y

' 19. In an apparatus for securing a plurality .of

`glass vplates in respect to one angzitheigmaV base member, a plurality ofverticallyclisposd-pins carried by said r'L glassSplatesfiifspaee(i horiztuitalrelation with refspect"toorie"another, a substantiall "rectangular spaced horizontal relation with base member,l and a plurality of discs carried upon eachpinnthe said discs upon t h e Nseveral pins 5 being in alignment with oneanotherfand means for adjustably mounting said pins upon the base ,member in a 7manner that ,the discs can be moved inwardly or outwardly.A 'l j v 120. Inan apparatus -forsecuring'al` plurality of basamember; a Vestiaallv.- isnesdfrih carried yatEeaizlfoji'.thefour corners-of said base member,

afplurality of discs carried upon ,eaohping' with 15 I the said discs upon the Aseveraljpins being in alignends thereof efidfhavirig plurality of herlizontal lmember so that 'they can 'be-:moved-'inwardly or outwardly thereof.

21. In a machine for grinding the curved edge vof a'glass' sheet or plate, a rotatablegrinding ele- :ment mounted in a substantially fixed position.

means for vsupp'ortiiig,and'ooiiveyingthe sheet in a substantially straight pathfiiastlsid'grindng 30' element, with the curved edgethereof to be ground in engagement therewith, means foi rotating the grinding element in theplane of the sheet, said sheet being movable freely toward and away from ,the grindingelement, means for guiding fthe sheet 355.`

in its movements toward and from tbe grinding element and for preventing angular movement of said sheet with respect toffsaid grinding element, and means acting to yieldably urge the sheet toward and maintain it in engagement with` the d y i grinding'element as it is carried past the same. 22. Irre. machine for grinding the curved edge l f of a glass sheet or plate, a grinding element mounted in a substantially fixed position and rotatable about a substantial vertical axis, conveying means movable in a substantially straight ",path past said grinding element', spacedparallel rails carried by said conveying means and extending at substantially right angleswlth respect to the direction of travel thereof,'a carriage 01 mounted upon said .conveying means ,and movable along said rails toward and awa-y from the grinding element,` said sheet being supported upon the carriage in a substantially horizontal position and movable therewith past the grinding element, with the curved edge thereof to beground in engagement therewith, and means act--l ing to yieldably urge the sheet toward and maintain it in engagement with said grinding element as it is carried past the same. 6o 23. In a machine forgrindingthe curved edges of glass sheets or plates, a grinding wheel mounted in a substantially fixed position and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, said wheel having a plurality of horizontal grooves extending circumferentially thereof, means for supporting a plurality' of sheets of glass in a substantially horizontal position and for conveying the said sheets in a substantially straight path past said grinding wheel, with the curved edges thereof to be ground in contact therewith and received within the grooves thereof, said sheets being freely movable toward and away from the grinding.

wheel, andmeans acting to yieldably urge the 76 superimposed ngersspaced from `one"anotlier 20 andl'n "substantial hdrizontalalignment with said f idiscs, and means for adjustably mounting' said l first and secondi mentioned pins upon the base sheets toward 'and 24.- In a machine for grinding the lcurvededges o f glass sheets or plates, a grinding wheel mount-` ed in a substantially fixed position and rotatable about a substantially vertical axis, said wheel having a plurality of horizontal rgrooves larranged circumferentially thereof;v a table movable in a substantially traight path past said 'grinding wheel, a carriage supported uponsaid table and,

movable toward and awayirom the1 grinding wheel in a direction at substantially'right angles l to the direction of movement of said table, means carried by the carriage .for supporting a plurality of sheets of glass in ka substantiallyhorizontal position, said sheets being' movable with the .carriage past'the grinding wheel, withthe curved edges thereof to be ground in engagement therewith and received within the grooves thereof, and means for yieldably urging the carriage toward .said'grinding wheel for maintainingthe sheets in engagement therewith.

25. In a machine for simultaneously surfacing f the curved edges of a plurality of glass sheets or plates, movable supporting means for carrying the sheets to be treated, means for securing a plurality of said sheets in'spaced horizontal positicn upon said supporting means, a surfacing plates, movable supporting means for element positioned in relatively close proximity to the supporting means and rotatable about a vertical axis in .the kplane of said sheets, and means for moving said supporting means horizontally lto carry the curved edges of the sheets to be treated past and in engagement with said surfacing element.

26. In a machine for simultaneously surfacing lthe curved edges of a plurality of glass sheets or plates, movable vsupporting means for carrying the sheets to be treated, means for securing a plurality of said sheets in spaced horizontal position upon said supporting means, a vsurfacing element positioned in relatively close proximity to the supporting means and rotatable about a vertical axis in the plane of said sheets, means for moving said supporting means horizontally to carry the curved edgesof the sheets to be treated past and in engagement with said surfacing element, and means for mounting the said surfacing 1element for movement horizontally toward and away from said supporting means.

27. In a, machine for simultaneously surfacing the curved edges of a plurality of glass sheets or 681754118 the sheets to be treated, means for securing a plurality of said sheets in spaced horizontal posii tion upon said supporting means, a sin'facing element positioned in relatively close proximity to the supporting means and rotatable abouta vertical axis in the plane'of saidY sheets, means for `moving said supporting means horizontallyv to carry the curved edges of the sheets to be treated past and in engagement with said surfacing element, and means for eil'ecting relative horizontal movementv between the Isaid supporting means andv surfacing element while maintaining the edges oi' the glass sheets in engagement with said Q element.

28. In a machine for simultaneously surfacing the curved edges oiV a plurality of glass sheets or plates, movable supporting means upon which a. plurality ci sheets-are adapted to be supported in.

' spaced horizontal position, means interposed between adjacent sheets for maintaining them spacedfrom one another,v means for clamping the plurality of sheets in position to prevent relative the curved'edges of a plates, movable supporting means upon which a fSDaced horizontal the sheets to be treated l spaced from one another, means i'or plurality of sheets in position to prevent relativeA a and against which the ofthe sheets to be treated Ahorizontally past and in engagement with saidsurfacing wheel.

29. In a machine for simultaneously surfacing plurality of glass sheets or plurality of sheets are adapted to be supported in spaced'v horizontal position, means interposed between adjacent sheets for maintaining them spaced fromone another, means for clamping the plurality of sheets in positionl to prevent relative movement therebetween, a, surfacing wheel positioned in relatively close proximity to the supporting means and rotatable about a vertical axis in the plane of said sheets, means for moving said supporting means to carry the curved edges of the sheets to be treated horizontally past and in engagement with said surfacing wheel, and means for mounting the said surfacing wheel for movement horizontally toward and away from the supporting means.

30. In a machine for simultaneously surfacing the curved edges of a plurality of'glass sheets or plates, movable supporting means upon which a plurality of sheets are adapted to be supported in position, means interposed between adjacent sheets for maintainingl them spaced from one another, means for clamping the plurality of sheets in position to prevent relative movement therebetween, a surfacing wheel positioned in relatively close proximityl to the supporting means and rotatable about a vertical axis in the plane of said sheets, means for moving said supporting means to carry the curved edges of'` horizontally past and in jin the plane of said sheets, and means for moving said supporting means to carry the curved edges f.-

engagement with said surfacing wheel, and means for effecting relative tween` the horizontal movement besaid supporting means and surfacing wheel while maintaining the edges of the glass sheets in engagement 3l. 1n a machine the curved edges of plates, plurality of sheets are adapted to be supported in spaced horizontal position, means interposed between adjacent sheets for maintaining them clamping the with said wheel. for simultaneously a plurality of glass surfacing sheets or movement therebetween, vertically disposed retaining means carried by the supporting means` inner edges ci' the glass sheets are adapted to abut, a surfacing wheel positioned in relatively close proximity to the supporting means `and rotatable about a vertical axis in the plane of said sheets, and means for moving said supporting means to carry the curved edges of the sheets to be treated horizontally past and in engagement with said surfacing wheel.

32. In a machine for simultaneously surfacing the curved edges of a plurality of glass sheets or plates, movable supporting means upon which a pluralltyof sheets are adapted to be supported in spaced horizontal position, means interposed between acacent sheets for maintaining them spaced from one'another, means for'clamping the plurality of sheets in position to prevent relative movement therebetween, spaced vertically disposed flxed retaining members carried by the supporting-means and against which the inner edges of the glass sheets are adapted to abut, a surfacmovable supporting means upon which a ing wheel pcsitioned in relatively close proximity m the m f vertical in the vo e@ of the 

